Display and a driving method thereof

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Application No. 2002-0015437, filed on Mar. 21, 2002 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] (a) Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a display and a driving method thereof, and more particularly to an organic electroluminescence (hereinafter, “EL”) display of an active matrix driving method.

[0004] (b) Description of the Related Art

[0005] In general, an organic EL display is a display that emits light by electrical excitation of fluorescent organic compound and displays image by driving each of M×N organic luminescent cells with voltage or current.

[0006] This organic cell has a structure of an anode (ITO), an organic thin film and, a cathode layer (metal). The organic thin film is formed as a multi-layered structure including an emission layer (“EML”), an electron transport layer (“ETL”), and a hole transport layer (“HTL”) so as to increase luminescence efficiency by balancing electron and hole concentrations. In addition, it can include an electron injection layer (“EIL”) and a hole injection layer (“HIL”) separately.

[0007] Organic EL displays that use organic luminescent cells like the above are configured as passive matrix or active matrix that includes thin film transistors (TFTs). In the passive matrix configuration, organic luminescent cells are formed between anodes and cathodes lines that cross each other and driven by driving those lines. While in the active matrix configuration, each organic luminescent cell is connected to a TFT usually through an ITO electrode and driven by controlling the gate voltage of the corresponding TFT.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a conventional pixel for driving the organic EL display using TFTs, and it is a representative of M×N pixels. Referring to FIG. 1, driving transistor Mb is connected to organic EL device OLED to supply current for emitting light. The amount of current through driving transistor Mb is controlled by data voltage applied through switching transistor Ma. In this case, capacitor C1 for maintaining the applied voltage during a certain period is connected between source and gate of transistor Mb. Scan line X_M is connected to the gate of transistor Ma, and data line Y_N is connected to the source thereof.

[0009] Operation of the pixel is as follows. When switching transistor Ma is turned on by the selection signal applied to the gate thereof, a data voltage is applied to node A, the gate of the driving transistor through the data line. Then, a current corresponding to the data voltage applied to the gate thereof flows into the organic EL device OLED to emit light.

[0010] In this case, current I_OLED flowing through organic EL device OLED is referred to as Equation 1.

[0011] $\begin{array}{cc}{I}_{\mathrm{OLED}}=\frac{\beta }{2}{\left(V_{\mathrm{GS}}-V_{\mathrm{TH}}\right)}^2=\frac{\beta }{2}{\left(V_{\mathrm{DD}}-V_{\mathrm{DATA}}-V_{\mathrm{TH}}\right)}^2& \left(1\right)\end{array}$
wherein, I_OLED is a current flowing through organic EL device OLED, V_GS is the gate-to-source voltage of transistor Mb, V_TH is a threshold voltage of transistor Mb, V_DATA is a data voltage and β is a constant.

[0012] As expressed in Equation 1, according to the pixel circuit of FIG. 1, the current corresponding to the applied data voltage is supplied to organic EL device OLED, and organic EL device OLED emits light in correspondence to the supplied current. Herein, the applied data voltage has many levels to express corresponding gray levels.

[0013] However, in the conventional pixel as described above, there is a problem in that high gray scale is difficult to obtain due to variation of the threshold voltage of TFTs generated by manufacture process. For example, when driving transistor Mb is supplied with data voltage in the range of 3 volts, two data voltages representing adjacent gray levels must be apart from each other by approximately 12 mV (=3V/256) so as to implement 8-bit (256) gray scale. If the threshold voltage varies in 100 mV range, which is usually the case, it is difficult to discriminate one data voltage from another and, as a result, gray scale is reduced.

[0014] In accordance with the present invention precharge voltages are applied to data lines to display high gray scale by compensating for variation of threshold voltage and to remove poor images due to operating characteristics of thin film transistors of pixel circuits. According to first to third aspects of the present invention, an organic EL display is provided, which includes: a plurality of data lines transmitting data voltages; a plurality of scan lines transmitting selection signals; a plurality of pixel circuits; and a data driver. The pixel circuits are provided in pixel areas defined by two adjacent data lines and two adjacent scan lines and include first and second switching elements, first thin film transistors, and capacitors. The first switching elements respond to the selection signals applied to the scan lines to transmit the data voltages applied to the data lines, and the first thin film transistors supply currents to organic electroluminescence devices in correspondence to the data voltages inputted to gates thereof through the first switching elements. The capacitors maintain the data voltages during a certain period, and the second switching elements apply first precharge voltage to the capacitors in response to control signals while the selection signals are applied to previous scan lines.

[0015] In this case, it is preferable that the control signals are separate reset signals or selection signals applied to previous scan lines.

[0016] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the data driver divides a plurality of data lines into a plurality of groups to apply data voltage corresponding to the respective groups, and the organic EL display preferably further includes a demultiplexer. The demultiplexer applies data voltages sequentially applied from the data driver to the corresponding data lines and applies second precharge voltages to data lines of at least one group before selection signals for selecting scan lines are applied to the scan lines connected to the pixel circuits.

[0017] According to the second aspect, the data driver applies the data voltages to respective data lines sequentially, and the organic EL display preferably further includes a precharge means, which applies second precharge voltages to the data lines simultaneously before selection signals for selecting scan lines are applied to the scan lines connected to the pixel circuits.

[0018] According to the third aspect, the data driver applies the data voltages to respective data lines, and the organic EL display preferably further includes a precharge means. The precharge means simultaneously applies second precharge voltages to all data lines before selection signals for selecting scan lines are applied to the scan lines connected to the pixel circuits and sequentially stops the application of the second precharge voltages before the data voltages are applied to the respective data lines sequentially.

[0019] In the organic EL display according to the first to the third aspects of the present invention, the pixel circuits may further include second thin film transistors of which the gates are connected to the gates of the first thin film transistors and that are diode-connected between the first and the second switching elements. In this case, the second precharge voltage preferably has a value equal to the first precharge voltage or a value further from the data voltage than that. In addition, the second precharge voltage preferably has a constant value.

[0020] According to the fourth aspect, a method of driving such an organic EL display is provided. First, the capacitor of the pixel circuit connected to i-th scan line is precharged with the first precharge voltage while selection signal is applied to (i−1)th scan line. And, the data lines are applied with second precharge voltages before selection signal is applied to the i-th scan line. Next, data voltages are sequentially applied to corresponding groups of data lines which consist of at least one data line and applications of the second precharge voltages to each group of data lines are stopped before the data voltages are applied to those lines.

[0021] According to a fifth aspect, a display is provided, which includes a plurality of data lines, a plurality of scan lines, a plurality of pixel circuits, a data driver, and a scan driver. The pixel circuits are provided in pixel areas defined by two adjacent data lines and two adjacent scan lines. Each of the pixel circuits includes a first switching element responding to selection signal applied to the scan line to transmit data voltage applied to the data line, a capacitor for maintaining the data voltage during a certain period, and a second switching element applying a first precharge voltage to the capacitor in response to control signal while selection signal is applied to the previous scan line.

[0022] In this case, the data driver divides a plurality of data lines into a plurality of groups each of which consists of at least one data line and applies corresponding data voltages to the respective groups sequentially. Second precharge voltages are applied to data lines of at least one group before selection signals for selecting scan lines are applied to the scan lines connected to the pixel circuits, and the application of second precharge voltages is stopped when corresponding data voltages are applied to the respective groups.

[0023] Control signals are preferably selection signals applied to previous scan lines or separate reset signals.

[0034] In the description set forth herein similar parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. When a part is connected to another part, the part is not only directly connected to another part but also electrically connected (coupled) to another part with another device intervening in them.

[0035] First, referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3B, an organic EL display and a driving method thereof according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0036] FIG. 2 shows an organic EL display according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B show a representative pixel of the first embodiment and a modified example thereof according to the present invention, respectively.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, the organic EL display according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes organic EL display panel 110, scan driver 120, and data driver 130.

[0038] Organic EL display panel 110 includes a plurality of data lines Y₁ to Y_N transmitting data voltages, a plurality of scan lines X₁ to X_M transmitting selection signals, and a plurality of pixel circuits 112. Pixel circuits 112 are provided in pixel areas defined by two adjacent data lines and two adjacent scan lines. Scan driver 120 applies the selection signals to scan lines X₁ to X_M, and data driver 130 applies the data voltages representing image signals to data lines Y₁ to Y_N.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3A, pixel circuit 112 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes organic EL device OLED; transistors M1, M2, M3, and M4; and capacitor C1.

[0040] Transistor M3 has a gate connected to scan line X_m, a source connected to the data line and a drain connected to a source of transistor M2, to transmit the data voltage to transistor M2 in response to the selection signal applied to scan line X_m.

[0041] The gate and the drain of transistor M2 are connected with each other so as to work as a diode (diode-connected) to transmit the data voltage from transistor M3 to transistor M1.

[0042] Transistor M1 has a source connected to power voltage VDD, a drain connected to organic EL device OLED, and a gate connected to the drain of transistor M2, and supplies a current corresponding to the data voltage from transistor M2 to organic EL device OLED. Organic EL device OLED emits light corresponding to the supplied current.

[0043] Capacitor C1 is connected between power voltage VDD and the gate of transistor M1 to maintain the data voltage and precharge voltage Vp applied to the gate of transistor M1 during a specific period.

[0044] Transistor M4 has a gate connected to previous scan line X_m−1, a source connected to the drain of transistor M2, and a drain the precharge voltage Vp is applied to, and initializes the gate of transistor M1 to precharge voltage Vp in response to the selection signal applied to previous scan line X_m−1.

[0045] In this case, precharge voltage Vp is preferably set to a somewhat smaller value than that of a voltage of node A corresponding to the highest gray level (i.e., a voltage corresponding to the minimum voltage applied to the data line).

[0046] Once transistor M3 is turned on by the selection signal applied to scan line X_m, the data voltage applied to the data line is transmitted to the gate (node A) of driving transistor M1 through transistor M2. Then, a current corresponding to the data voltage applied to the gate thereof flows through organic EL device OLED, passing through transistor M1, to emit light.

[0047] In this case, the current flowing through organic EL device OLED according to the first embodiment of the present invention is as following Equation 2.

[0048] $\begin{array}{cc}{I}_{\mathrm{OLED}}=\frac{\beta }{2}{\left(V_{\mathrm{GS}}-V_{\mathrm{TH1}}\right)}^2=\frac{\beta }{2}{\left(V_{\mathrm{DD}}-\left(V_{\mathrm{DATA}}-V_{\mathrm{TH2}}\right)-V_{\mathrm{TH1}}\right)}^2& \left(2\right)\end{array}$

[0049] Wherein, I_OLED is a current flowing through organic EL device OLED, V_GS is a gate-to-source voltage of transistor M1, V_TH1 is a threshold voltage of transistor M1, V_TH2 is a threshold voltage of transistor M2, and β is a constant.

[0050] In this case, if the threshold voltages of transistor M1 and transistor M2 are equal, i.e., V_TH1=V_TH2, Equation 2 can be expressed as the following Equation 3. In practice, according to the first embodiment, since the two transistors M1 and M2 are adjacent to each other to be influenced almost equally by the process, difference between the threshold voltages of the two transistors M1 and M2 is negligible, and thereby the threshold voltages become equal.

[0051] $\begin{array}{cc}{I}_{\mathrm{OLED}}=\frac{\beta }{2}{\left(V_{\mathrm{DD}}-V_{\mathrm{DATA}}\right)}^2& \left(3\right)\end{array}$

[0052] Therefore, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as seen in Equation 3, current I_OLED corresponding to the data voltage applied to the data line flows in organic EL device OLED regardless of the threshold voltage of current driving transistor M1. That is, since transistor M2 compensates for the variation of the threshold voltage of current driving transistor M1, the current flowing through organic EL device OLED can be controlled minutely to provide an organic EL display of high gray scale.

[0053] Although transistors M1, M2, M3, and M4 of pixel circuit 112 have been described with PMOS transistors in the first embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to this but may use NMOS transistors or the combination of PMOS and NMOS transistors. Since modification of pixel circuits for these cases can be easily configured by those who have common knowledge in the fields related to this invention, no detailed description will be included herein.

[0054] In addition, in the first embodiment of the present invention, transistor M4 is driven by the selection signal of previous scan line X_m−1 in order to initialize the gate of transistor M1 of pixel circuit 112 to precharge voltage Vp. However, as shown in FIG. 3B, transistor M4 may be driven by applying a separate reset signal to the gate of transistor M4 without applying the selection signal of previous scan line X_m−1 to the gate thereof.

[0055] Herein, when the data voltages are applied to the data lines, the data voltages may be applied to all data lines Y₁ to Y_N not at once, but sequentially. In the case wherein the data voltages are applied sequentially, when a data voltage is applied to data line Y₁ with scan line X_m selected, in data line Y₂, the data voltage applied at the time of selecting previous scan line X_m−1 is stored in a parasitic capacitor, and precharge voltage Vp is stored in capacitor C1 of pixel circuit 112.

[0056] In this case, if diode element M2 is turned on by difference between the voltage of the parasitic capacitor and the voltage of capacitor C1, the charges are redistributed between the parasitic capacitor and capacitor C1 to change the voltage of capacitor C1. As a result, transistor M2 may not be turned on by difference between the changed voltage of capacitor C1 and the data voltage applied to data line Y₂ later, and in this case, a desired voltage is not applied to capacitor C1 and desired images cannot be obtained.

[0057] To solve the above problem, precharge voltage Vpre is applied to the data line to which the data voltage is not applied to charge the data line with precharge voltage Vpre, and thereby, transistor M2 cannot be turned on by the difference between the voltage of capacitor C1 and precharge voltage Vpre. Herein, precharge voltage Vpre is equal to precharge voltage Vp—threshold voltage V_TH2′ or further from the data voltage than that, so that transistor M2 is not turned on. The threshold voltage V_TH2 is negative in case transistor M2 is a PMOS transistor, and threshold voltage V_TH2 is positive in case transistor M2 is an NMOS transistor.

[0058] Now, a method of driving an organic EL display by applying such a precharge voltage Vpre will be described.

[0059] First, referring to FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, an organic EL display and a driving method thereof according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0060] FIG. 4 shows an organic EL display according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 shows a demultiplexer of the organic EL display according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows a timing diagram of the organic EL display according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 4, organic EL display 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes organic EL display panel 210, scan driver 220, data driver 230 and demultiplexer 240.

[0062] The organic EL display according to the second embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment except for data driver 230 and demultiplexer 240. Pixel circuit 212 of organic EL display panel 210 includes pixel circuit 112 according to the first embodiment of the present invention and all the pixel circuits capable of being modified in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] Data driver 230 outputs the data voltages to demultiplexer 240 per R (red), G (green), and B (blue) sequentially under the control of a controller (not shown). When the number of data lines Y₁, Y₂, Y₃, Y₄, Y₅, Y₆, . . . , Y_3n−2, Y_3n−1, and Y_3n is 3n, i.e., data lines Y₁, Y₄, . . . , Y_3n−2 transmitting the R data voltages, data lines Y₂, Y₅, . . . , Y_3n−1 transmitting the G data voltages, and data line Y₃, Y₆, . . . , Y_3n transmitting the B data voltages, the number of signal lines D₁, D₂, . . . , D_n transmitting the data voltages from the data driver to demultiplexer 240 is n in correspondence to each one of R, G and B data lines.

[0064] In this way, data driver 230 sequentially outputs R, G and B data voltages to signal lines D₁, D₂, . . . , D_n under the control of the controller.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 5, demultiplexer 240 is supplied with the data voltages per R, G, and B from data driver 230, and then, it outputs the R, G, and B data voltages to respective data lines sequentially.

[0066] Demultiplexer 240 includes data voltage supplying switching elements MR₁, MG₁, MB₁, MR₂, MG₂, MB₂, . . . , MR_n, MG_n, and MB_n and precharge voltage supplying switching elements PG₁, PB₁, PG₂, PB₂, . . . , PG_n, and PB_n composed of PMOS transistors.

[0067] Data lines Y₁, Y₂, and Y₃ are connected to signal line D₁ in parallel with each other through the respective switching elements MR₁, MG₁, and MB₁, and data lines Y₄, Y₅, and Y₆ are connected to data line D₂ in parallel with each other through the respective switching elements MR₂, MG₂, and MB₂. In this way, data lines Y_3n−2, Y_3n−1, and Y_3n are connected to signal line D_n through the respective switching elements MR_n, MG_n, and MB_n. In addition, switching elements PG₁, PB₁, PG₂, PB₂, . . . , PG_n, and PB_n are connected between precharge voltage Vpre and data lines Y₂, Y₃, Y₅, Y₆, . . . , Y_3n−1, and Y_3n.

[0068] Data voltage supplying switching elements MR₁ to MR_n are connected to switching signal line 241, and transmit the R data voltages to data lines Y₁, Y₄, . . . , Y_3n−2 and pixel circuits 212 in response to switching signal H_R applied from the controller through signals lines 241. Data voltage supplying switching elements MG₁ to MG_n are connected to switching signal line 243, and apply the G data voltages to data lines Y₂, Y₅, . . . , Y_3n−1 and pixel circuits 212 in response to switching signal H_G. In addition, data voltage supplying switching elements MB₁ to MB_n are connected to switching signal line 245, and apply the B data voltages to data lines Y₃, Y₆, . . . , Y_3n and pixel circuits 212 in response to switching signal H_B.

[0069] In addition, the precharge voltage supplying switching elements PG₁ to PG_n are connected to signal line 242 and transmit precharge voltages Vpre via data lines Y₂, Y₅, . . . , Y_3n−1 to pixel circuits 212 in response to switching signal P_G applied through signal line 242 from the controller. Precharge voltage supplying switching elements PB₁ to PB_n are connected to signal line 244 and transmit precharge voltages Vpre via data lines Y₃, Y₆, . . . , Y_3n to pixel circuits 212 in response to switching signal P_B.

[0070] Such precharge voltages Vpre must have a value equal to ‘precharge voltage Vp—threshold voltage V_TH2’ or a value that is further from the data voltages than that, compared with precharge voltage Vp applied to capacitor C1. In this way, transistor M2 is not turned on by the difference between voltage Vpre stored in the data line and voltage Vp stored in capacitor C1.

[0071] In the second embodiment of the present invention, although transistors M1, M2, M3, and M4 of pixel circuit 212; data voltage supplying switching elements MR₁, MG₁, MB₁, MR₂, MG₂, MB₂, . . . , MR_n, MG_n, and MB_n; and precharge voltage supplying switching elements PG₁, PB₁, PG₂, PB₂, . . . , PG_n, and PB_n have been described using PMOS transistors, the present invention is not limited to these but may use NMOS transistors or a combination of PMOS transistors and NMOS transistors. Since alternative circuit configurations and driving signals in accordance with the teachings of the present invention will be apparent those skilled in the art, no further detailed description thereof will be included herein.

[0072] Next, referring to FIG. 6, the operation of the organic EL display panel according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 6, first, when R data voltages corresponding to pixel circuits 212 connected to scan line X_m are applied from data driver 230, switching elements MR₁ to MR_n and switching elements PG₁ to PG_n and PB₁ to PB_n are turned on by switching signals H_R, P_G, and P_B and then the selection signal for selecting scan line X_m is applied. In this way, pixel circuits 212 connected to scan line X_m operate with R data voltages applied to data lines Y₁, Y₄, . . . , Y_3n−2 and data lines Y₂, Y₃, Y₅, Y₆, . . . , Y_3n−1 and Y₃are precharged to precharge voltages Vpre with the parasitic capacitors.

[0074] Next, when the G data voltages are applied from data driver 230, switching elements MR₁ to MR_n and PG₁ to PG_n are turned off, and switching elements MG₁ to MG_n are turned on by switching signals H_R and P_G of high level, and switching signal H_G of low level. In this way, pixel circuits 212 connected to scan line X_m and data lines Y₂, Y₅, . . . , Y_3n−1 operate with the G data voltages applied to those data lines and data lines Y₃, Y₆, . . . , Y_3n are still precharged to precharge voltages V_pre with the parasitic capacitors.

[0075] Next, when the B data voltages are applied from data driver 230, switching elements MG₁ to MG_n and switching elements PB₁ to PB_n are turned off, and switching elements MB₁ to MB_n are turned on by switching signals H_G and P_B of high level and switching signal H_B of a low signal. In this way, pixel circuits 212 connected to scan line X_m and data lines Y₃, Y₆, . . . , Y_3n operate with the B data voltages applied to those data lines.

[0076] As in the second embodiment of the present invention where the R, G, and B data voltages are applied sequentially for the time scan line X_m is selected, the data lines Y₂, Y₃, Y₅, Y₆, . . . , Y_3n−1, and Y_3n are precharged to precharge voltages Vpre during the application of the R data voltages to data lines Y₁, Y₄, . . . , Y_3n−2. Accordingly, since transistors M2 are not turned on by the differences between the precharge voltages stored in capacitors C1 and precharge voltages Vpre, capacitors C1 can be kept with precharge voltages Vp continuously.

[0077] Therefore, the problem previously described does not occur that transistors M2 are not turned on by applied data voltages due to changed voltages of capacitors C1.

[0078] Although, in the second embodiment of the present invention, it is described that the data voltages are outputted per R, G, and B sequentially and demultiplexer 240 works as 1:3 DEMUX, the present invention is not limited to this. N data lines may be formed as one group and the data voltages corresponding to respective groups may be outputted sequentially. In this way, the demultiplexer works as 1:N DEMUX to distribute the data voltages inputted to the respective groups to the corresponding the data lines out of the N data lines. Since alternative configurations and driving signals in accordance with the teachings of the present invention will be apparent those skilled in the art, no further detailed description thereof will be included herein.

[0079] Next, the case where the data driver is configured by using a shift register will be described.

[0080] First, referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, an organic EL display and a driving method thereof will be described.

[0081] FIG. 7 shows an organic EL display according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 shows timing diagrams of the organic EL display according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 7, the organic EL display according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes organic EL display panel 310, scan driver 320, data driver 330, and precharge means 340.

[0083] Organic EL display panel 310 includes a plurality of data lines Y₁ to Y_n transmitting the data voltages representing image signals, a plurality of scan lines X₁ to X_M transmitting selection signals, and a plurality of pixel circuits 312. Pixel circuits 312 include pixel circuits 112 according to the first embodiment and all the pixel circuits capable of being modified in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] Scan driver 320 applies the selection signals to scan lines X₁ to X_M to control on/off of thin film transistors M3 of pixel circuits 312.

[0085] Data driver 330 includes shift register 332, a plurality of OR gates OR₁ to OR_N, and data voltage switching elements HSW₁ to HSW_N made of PMOS transistors.

[0086] Shift register 332 outputs control signals H₁ to H_N for controlling on/off of switching elements HSW₁ to HSW_N, and these signals H₁ to H_N are inputted to respective OR gates OR₁, to OR_N together with an OE signal from a controller (not shown). The OE signal is a control signal for selecting the data lines after the data of image signals Vsig is changed, and the respective outputs of OR gates OR₁ to OR_N become switching signals for turning on/off switching elements HSW₁ to HSW_N.

[0087] The image signals Vsig are sequentially sampled by switching signals S₁ to S_N of shift register 332 to be applied to respective data lines Y₁ to Y_N. In detail, one ends of switching elements HSW₁ to HSW_N are connected to one ends of data lines Y₁ to Y_N, and the other ends of switching elements HSW₁ to HSW_N are connected to image signal lines 334 transmitting image signals V_sig. Switching elements HSW₁ to HSW_N sequentially apply the image signals to respective data lines Y₁ to Y_N, responding to switching signals S₁ to S_N, respectively.

[0088] Precharge means 340 are connected to the other ends of data lines Y₂ to Y_N and include switching elements PSW₂ to PSW_N composed of PMOS transistors for precharging. Switching elements PSW₂ to PSW_N apply precharge voltage Vpre to data lines Y₂ to Y_N at the same time in response to precharge control signal PC from the controller. Precharge voltage Vpre has a value equal to ‘precharge voltage Vp—threshold voltage V_TH2’ or a value further from image signals Vsig than that, compared with precharge voltage Vp applied to capacitors C1.

[0089] In the third embodiment of the present invention, although switching elements HSW₁ to HSW_N and PSW₁ to PSW_N are respectively provided at both ends of data lines Y₁ to Y_N, they may also be provided at either end of data lines Y₁ to Y_N.

[0090] In addition, although transistors M1, M2, M3, and M4, switching elements HSW₁ to HSW_N, and switching elements PSW₂ to PSW_N have been described to be composed of PMOS transistors, the present invention is not limited to this but they may be composed of NMOS transistors or both of PMOS and NMOS transistors. Since alternative circuit configurations and driving signals in accordance with the teachings of the present invention will be apparent those skilled in the art, no further detailed description thereof will be included herein.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 8, an operation of the organic EL display according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described in the following.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 8, first, switching element HSW₁ and switching elements PSW₂ to PSW_N are turned on by switching signal S₁ and control signals PC of low level, and then the selection signal for selecting scan line X_m are applied. Then, organic EL device OLED of pixel circuit 312 connected to scan line X_mand data line Y₁ is driven with the data voltage that is sampled from image signal Vsig by switching element HSW₁, and data lines Y₂ to Y_N are precharged to precharge voltages Vpre by the parasitic capacitors.

[0093] Next, the control signals are inverted to turn off switching elements PSW₂ to PSW_N, and thereby, data lines Y₂ to Y_N are floated to be kept with precharge voltage Vpre until the data voltages are applied thereto. Thereafter, shift register 332 shifts and outputs the selection signal to turn on switching elements HSW₂ to HSW_N sequentially to apply image signal Vsig to data lines Y₂ to Y_N, and thereby, driving organic EL device OLED.

[0094] In this way, since data lines Y₂ to Y_N are kept with precharge voltages Vpre until the data voltages are applied, transistors M2 are not turned on by differences between precharge voltages Vp stored in capacitors C1 and precharge voltages Vpre at the time of selecting scan line X_m. Accordingly, capacitors C1 are kept with precharge voltages Vp continuously. Therefore, the case where transistors M2 are not turned on at the time the data voltages are applied due to the change of the voltages of capacitors C1, as described before, does not occur.

[0095] However, in case of driving switching elements PSW₂ to PSW_N at the same time with a single signal as in the third embodiment of the present invention, as the size of the panel and resolution thereof become larger, resistances of the signal lines and gate capacitances of the thin film transistors are increased accordingly, thereby, increasing RC delays.

[0096] Since rising time and falling time of precharge control signal PC becomes larger due to such RC delay, the time difference between the leading edge of switching signal H₁ and the leading edge of the switching signal H₂ must become larger. Thus, since pulse widths of switching signals H₁ to H_N must be increased, the speed of clock must be decreased, and in the end, this limits the frequency of data driver 330.

[0097] To solve such problem, switching elements for precharging may be driven respectively, and in the following, such an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0098] FIG. 9 shows an organic EL display according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 shows a timing diagram of the organic EL display according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 9, the organic EL display according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes organic EL display panel 410, scan driver 420, data driver 430, and precharge means 440.

[0100] Organic EL display panel 410 and scan driver 420 of the fourth embodiment are the same as organic EL display panel 310 and scan driver 320 of the third embodiment, and pixel circuits 412 of organic EL display panel 410 include the pixel circuits according to the first embodiment and all the pixel circuits capable of being modified in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0101] Data driver 430 includes shift register 432, switching elements for data voltage HSW₁ to HSW_N, and OR gate OR₁ to OR_N.

[0102] Shift register outputs control signals H₁ to H_N for controlling switching elements HSW₁, to HSW_N sequentially, and these control signals are inputted to respective OR gates OR₁ to OR_N together with an OE signal from a controller (not shown). Respective outputs of OR gates OR₁ to OR_N become switching signals S₁ to S_N for turning on/off switching elements HSW₁ to HSW_N.

[0103] Image signals Vsig are sampled sequentially by the switching signals of shift register 432 to be applied to respective data lines Y₁ to Y_N. In detail, one ends of data lines Y₁ to Y_N are respectively connected to one ends of switching elements HSW₁ to HSW_N, and the other ends of switching elements HSW₁, to HSW_N are respectively connected to image signal line 434 for transmitting image signals Vsig. Switching elements HSW₁ to HSW_N sequentially transmit the image signals to respective data lines Y₁ to Y_N in response to switching signals S₁ to S_N.

[0104] Precharge means 440 include switching elements for precharging PSW₂ to PSW_N and a plurality of precharge control signal generators 442.

[0105] Precharge control signal generators 442 respectively receive control signals H₁ to H_N−1 from shift register 432 and previous precharge control signals P₁ to P_N−1 to generate precharge control signals P₂ to P_N. Precharge control signal P₁ is a signal always high. Precharge control signal generators 442 are composed of AND gates in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0106] Switching elements PSW₂ to PSW_N transmit precharge voltages Vpre to data lines Y₂ to Y_N in response to ‘precharge control signals P₂ to P_N. Such precharge control signal Vpre is equal to precharge voltage Vp—threshold voltage V_TH2’ or further from voltage Vsig than that, compared with the precharge voltage applied to capacitor C1.

[0107] Now, the operation of the organic EL display according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 10.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 10, precharge control signals P₂ to P_N become low level by control signal H₁ of low level, control signal H₂ to H_N of high level, and control signal P₁ of high level. Switching elements HSW₁, and switching elements PSW₂ to PSW_N are turned on by these signals and the selection signal for selecting scan line X_m is applied. Then, organic EL device OLED of pixel circuit 412 connected to scan line X_m and data line Y₁ are driven by the data voltage sampled by switching element HSW₁, and data lines Y₂ to Y_N are precharged to precharge voltages Vpre by the parasitic capacitors.

[0109] Next, when control signal H₁ becomes high level and control signal H₂ becomes low level by shift register 432, control signal P₂ becomes high level, and control signals P₃ to P_N are kept with low level continuously. Switching element PSW₂ is turned off, and switching element HSW₂ is turned on by such signals to transmit the data voltage to data line Y₂, and switching elements PSW₃ to PSW_N are turned on continuously to transmit the precharge voltages to data lines Y₃ to Y_N.

[0110] As above, switching elements HSW₂ to HSW_N are sequentially turned on, and switching elements PSW₂ to PSW_N are sequentially turned off, thereby, applying the data voltages to data lines Y₂ to Y_N, and the data lines are charged to precharge voltage Vpre until the data voltages are applied to them.

[0111] In this way, since data lines Y₂ to Y_N are kept with precharge voltages Vpre until the data voltages sampled from image signal Vsig are applied thereto, transistor M2 is not turned on by difference between precharge voltage Vp stored in capacitor C1 at the time scan line X_m−1 is selected and precharge voltage Vpre, and thus, capacitor C1 can be kept with precharge voltage Vp.

[0112] Therefore, the case where transistors M2 are not turned on at the time the data voltages are applied due to the change of the voltages of capacitors C1, as described before, does not occur.

[0113] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 11, when shift register 432 which outputs partially overlapped control signals H₁ to H_N is used, the problem described above may occur. That is, data line Y₂ is connected to the image signal line that transmits image signal Vsig, by control signal H₂, while the data are written to data line Y₁. In this case, when image signal Vsig becomes a value corresponding to data line Y₂ and data line Y₂ has to be written on, the data written to data line Y₂ for the time data line Y₁ is written on may cause a problem that transistor M2 is not turned on as described above.

[0114] Embodiments of the case that shift register 432 which outputs partially overlapped control signals H₁ to H_N is used will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13.

[0115] FIG. 11 is a timing diagram of organic EL displays according to a fifth and a sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 12 and 13 are diagrams to illustrate precharge control signal generators in the organic EL displays according to the fifth and the sixth embodiments of the present invention.

[0116] Accordingly, when precharge control signal generators 442 as shown in FIG. 12 generate precharge control signals P₁ to P_N, precharge control signals are generated as shown in FIG. 11 in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Now, precharge control signal generator 442 for generating precharge control signal P_n applied to data line Y_n will be described.

[0117] Precharge control signal generator 442 for generating precharge control signal P_n includes an inverter, an OR gate, and an AND gate. The OR gate receives a signal that the inverter outputs in response to control signal H_n+1 corresponding to the next data line Y_n+1 and a control signal corresponding to the present data line Y_n. Output of the OR gate and previous precharge control signal P_n−1 are inputted together to the AND gate to generate precharge control signal P_n.

[0118] Precharge control signals P₁ to P_N generated as above are as shown in FIG. 11. For example, while the corresponding data voltage is applied to data line Y₁ by control signal H₁, a time interval that switching element HSW₂ is turned on by control signal H₂ of low level is generated. In this case, until image signal Vsig becomes a value corresponding to data line Y₂, switching element PSW₂ may be turned on by precharge control signal P₂ according to the fifth embodiment to transmit precharge voltage Vpre.

[0119] As above, in case precharge voltage Vpre is applied to data line Y₂ in the interval that switching elements HSW₂ and PSW₂ are turned on, precharge voltage Vpre has to be set so that the voltage applied to data line Y₂ and determined by image signal Vsig and precharge voltage Vpre is equal to ‘precharge voltage Vp—threshold voltage V_TH2’ or further from image signal V_sig than that.

[0120] According to such fifth embodiment, the driving voltages of switching elements PSW₂ and HSW₂ may increase as the difference between precharge voltage Vpre and image signal Vsig increases. When the driving voltages are increased, there is a problem that power consumption is also increased.

[0121] Therefore, a shift register whose outputs do not overlap each other is configured in a sixth embodiment by adjusting outputs of the shift register in the fifth embodiment.

[0122] As shown in FIG. 13, in case switching elements HSW₁ to HSW_N are PMOS transistors, the shift register whose outputs do not overlap may be provided by an OR operation of the two adjacent outputs of shift register 432 with OR gates.

[0123] For example, the result of performing an OR-operation of outputs H₁ and H₂ of shift register 432 is made to be new output H₁′. That is, when both of two outputs H₁ and H₂ are low levels, output H₁′ of the OR gate becomes low level, and also, when both of outputs H₂ and H₃ are low levels, output H₂′ becomes low level, and thereby, it is possible to form a shift register without overlapping the outputs.

[0124] Although the switching elements have been described with using PMOS transistors in the first to the sixth embodiments, the present invention is not limited to this but may use NMOS transistors, CMOS transistors, or a combination thereof. Since alternative circuit configurations and driving signals in accordance with the teachings of the present invention will be apparent those skilled in the art, no further detailed description thereof will be included herein.

[0125] In addition, as shown in FIG. 3B, also in the second to the sixth embodiments of the present invention, a separate reset signal is applied to the gate of transistor M4 to drive it to charge capacitor C1 of pixel circuit 112 with precharge voltage Vp.

[0126] According to the present invention as described above, by applying precharge voltages Vpre to the data lines before the data voltages are applied thereto, it is possible to prevent the charge redistribution of capacitors C1 that is generated due to turning on of the switching elements with precharge voltage Vp charged in capacitors C1 of the pixel circuits when the previous scan line is selected and the previous data voltages stored in the parasitic capacitors of the data lines. Therefore, it is possible to solve the problem of poor images caused by the charge redistribution of capacitors C1.

[0127] In addition, although the pixel circuits with four transistors have been described as an example in the embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to this but is applicable to all of the pixel circuits that precharge voltages Vp are applied to. Furthermore, although the organic EL display has been described as an example in the embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to this but is applicable to all of the displays applying precharge voltages Vp to capacitors C1 provided in the pixel circuits. In other words, in case the pixel circuits of the displays include transistors driven by the signals applied through the gate lines and the data lines and transistors for applying precharge voltages Vp, it is possible to improve the poor images by applying precharge voltages Vpre to the data lines, as described in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0128] Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it should be clearly understood that many variations and/or modifications based on the basic concepts defined in the appended claims still fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.